Falling-off the bone tender and tasty Chinese BBQ Ribs (Char Siu) made in the crock pot and finished by broiling in the oven. Hands down THE BEST ribs ever!
Crazy for ribs? Well you are not alone! Pork ribs are a family affair at my household.
I have made several types, but nothing like these Asian ribs, Char Siu inspired. 😉 I pinky swear!!!
As Wikipedia explains, Char siu literally means fork roasted, being "a popular way to flavor and roast barbecued pork in Cantonese cuisine."
Our Barbecue Pork Ribs is an adaptation of that traditional Chinese recipe.
Most of the cooking happens in the crock pot, resulting in super-tender ribs.
Then, our char siu pork ribs are broiled in the oven, giving them a mouthwatering look.
Some of the ingredients-- such as honey, five-spice, soy sauce, red food coloring, and rice vinegar-- make these ribs unique.
As a result, needless to say, these baby back ribs didn't last long.
Although I served them with white rice, you can also enjoy them with noodles or other side of choice.
My favorite way to eat them is sandwiched in Texas toast bread and dipped in their own broth (French dip style).
So, are you ready?
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CHINESE BBQ RIBS (CHAR SIU RIBS)
- First, remove the membrane from the ribs and discard; reserve ribs.
- In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, five-spice powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper.
- Spread dry rub mixture on both side of the ribs and then place them in the slow cooker.
- You may have to curl the rack of ribs along the inner wall of the crock pot in order to fit it in.
- Next, prepare the sticky sauce.
- Mix together brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, minced garlic, and red food coloring in a small saucepan.
- Pour half of the sauce in the crock pot, cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low until tender.
- Transfer Chinese bbq ribs to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with sauce. Broil for about 7-8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk cornstarch with water in a small bowl; reserve.
- Bring remaining pan sauce to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and then whisk in cornstarch mixture.
- Make sure to stir sauce constantly until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove ribs from oven and brush them with thickened sauce.
- Garnish top with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve with rice, noodles, or in a sandwich.
- Use the crock pot broth to dip your rib sandwich into (french dip style).
Can't get enough of these Chinese bbq ribs ribs? Also try our Red Wine Barbecue Pork Ribs.
What to Do with Leftovers
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze them in small portions (sealed bags) for up to 4 months.
Shred Chinese bbq ribs and use in sandwiches, pizzas, and fried rice.
Substitutions
If you are celiac, make sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce.
Moreover, if you don't like artificial colors, skip the food coloring.
More Crock Pot Recipes
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Legs
Slow Cooker Chicken Satay Curry
Slow Cooker Lean Pork Stroganoff
Sides That Go with These Chinese Pork Ribs
One Bowl Microwave Mac and Cheese
PIN & ENJOY!
Easy Chinese Barbecue Ribs in the Crock Pot (Char Siu)
Ingredients
- 6 lbs baby back ribs (2 racks, 3 lbs each)
For the dry rub:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon five-spice powder
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the sticky sauce:
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ⅔ cup honey
- ⅔ cup soy sauce
- ⅔ cup rice vinegar (or sherry vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon five-spice powder
- 20 drops red food coloring
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
For garnish:
- 2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoon finely chopped green onions
Instructions
- Remove membrane from the ribs and discard; reserve ribs. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, five-spice powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper. Spread dry rub mixture on both side of the ribs and then place them in the slow cooker.
- You may have to curl the rack of ribs along the inner wall of the crock pot to fit it in. Prepare the sticky sauce. Mix together brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, minced garlic, five-spice, and red food coloring in a small saucepan.
- Pour half of the sauce in the crock pot, cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low until tender. Transfer ribs to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with sauce. Broil for about 7-8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk cornstarch with water in a small bowl; reserve. Bring remaining pan sauce to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and then whisk in cornstarch mixture. Make sure to stir sauce constantly until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove ribs from oven and brush them with thickened sauce. Garnish top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with rice, noodles, or in a sandwich. Use the crock pot broth to dip rib sandwich into (french dip style).
Recipe Notes
- Love barbecued ribs? Try our Red Wine Barbecue Pork Ribs.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze them in small portions (sealed bags) for up to 4 months. Shred ribs and use in sandwiches, pizzas, and fried rice.
- If you are celiac, make sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce. If you don't like artificial colors, skip the food coloring.
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I almost never prepare ribs in the crockpot -- need to that more often. Such an easy way to prepare them! Terrific recipe -- thanks.
mimi rippee says
Oh yum. I love all of the ingredients in your ribs! And they look super fabulous. By the way, we went to Rio and to Iguacu Falls in Brazil. What a beautiful country!
Denise Browning says
Hi, Mimi! Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed your staying in Brazil. We will be visiting my sister in Rio in the summer.
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
What a delicious way to prepare ribs. Finishing off the ribs under the broiler, makes this crock pot recipe week night friendly, fabulous.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Love the look of your ribs...I'll just have to do them in the oven.